What is the PLC Program?

The Center for Children and Family Futures (CCFF), with support from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), hosts the national Family Treatment Court Training and Technical Assistance (FTC TTA) Peer Learning Court (PLC) Program.

CCFF launched the PLC Program in 2012 to highlight national best practice models for family treatment courts (FTCs), while increasing knowledge and innovative practice through peer-to-peer learning and technical assistance (TA). PLCs are collaboratives that operate in alignment with the FTC Best Practice Standards (2019) — using sound, evidence-supported practices and policies to improve child welfare and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment outcomes for families. PLCs feature strong cross-system collaborative leadership teams that include champions among Tribes, courts, child welfare, SUD treatment, and other family-serving agencies.

We welcomed our fifth cohort of Peer Learning Courts in November 2024!  

After rigorous review and thoughtful consideration, OJJDP and its National FTC TTA program has named the following seven FTCs to serve as mentor courts in the PLC Program through December 2026. 

• 9th Judicial District of Lenoir County Family Accountability Recovery Court, NC  

• Baltimore City Circuit Court Family Recovery Program, MD  

• Greene County Family Treatment Court, MO  

• Hancock County Family Treatment Court, MS  

• Jefferson County Family Integrated Treatment Court, CO   

• Oneida County Family Treatment Court, NY  

• Travis County Parenting in Recovery/Family Drug Treatment Court, TX

CCFF works with established and experienced collaboratives to show how a comprehensive, family-centered approach — grounded in effective cross-systems collaboration and best practices — improves family outcomes. The PLCs are available to participate in the following peer-to-peer learning opportunities:  

• Host virtual and/or in-person team site visits, providing an opportunity to observe their court proceedings and staffing sessions and meet with their team and visit partner agencies. These visits typically include a team meeting during which visitors can ask questions and debrief the observation

• Participate in virtual peer-to-peer connection, via email or video conference call, to share practice innovations, successes, challenges, and lessons

• Share operational documents (e.g., policy and procedure manual, parent handbook, reporting templates, MOU, etc.)

To learn more about the FTC Peer Learning Court Program or to access peer supported TTA, please email us at peerlearningcourts@cffutures.org